The Efficacy of Membrane Sweeping at Term and Effect on the Duration of Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of membrane sweeping on the duration of pregnancy at term and induction rate. The study design was a randomized controlled trial.

Method: The study conducted at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January 1, 2011 to January 1 2012. One hundred and sixty women with uncomplicated pregnancy attending the antenatal clinic and delivery room were randomized to membrane sweeping (study group, n = 80) or no sweeping (control group, n = 80) at 38 weeks of gestation.

Results: Most of the women who underwent membrane sweeping entered spontaneous labor (90 vs. 75%), with a significant difference in mean gestational age (39.5 0.9 vs. 40.0 1.2, P = 0.004). The overall incidence of pregnant women at 41 week gestation was 10 % in women who underwent membrane sweeping and 25% in the controls (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2 - 7.3, P = 0.01). The induction rate was less in study compared to control group (10 % vs. 25%; P = 0.01). There were no differences in the incidence of cesarean delivery, or maternal or fetal morbidity between the two groups.

Conclusion: Sweeping of the membranes at term is safe and reduces the incidence of post-date gestation. Most women required only a single cervical sweeping.





J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2014;3(1):30-34
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcgo225w